The path, which connects Winfarthing Village Hall to Chapel Close, will enable pupils to walk safely to All Saints Primary School, in Mill Road.

Before work on the path, the pupils had to walk on a grass verge alongside Hall Road, which meant they were in danger from passing traffic.

Norfolk county councillor Beverley Spratt, who represents Winfarthing, was among a number of county council representatives at the official launch of the footpath in Hall Road on Thursday.

The county council’s chairman, Hilary Cox, was also present along with council officers and Clement Le Grys, a Winfarthing parish councillor.

Mr Spratt spoke about how the footpath had come to fruition through the county council’s 2013/14 Parish Partnership Scheme whereby the county worked with Winfarthing Parish Council, with the former contributing £15,000 towards the cost and the latter the remaining £5,000.

He added: “Winfarthing has put £5,000 into this project because it is totally necessary and I think you can see what a difference it is going to make.

“These are the sort of schemes that will make rural villages more safe.”

Mrs Cox said it was important for the county and parish councils to work together on schemes, especially as the amount of money the county had available had been reduced.

She added: “This footpath is important for the health of the children as the future generation because it is encouraging them to keep fit.”

Mr Le Grys said: “It is great because the children used to walk down here beside the road and traffic was stopping and it was an accident waiting to happen, so this has been a great project which has made the road safer.”

In October 2013, the county council invited town and parish councils to submit bids for highway improvement schemes, offering to support up to half the cost of successful bids from a £200,000 fund, with town/parish Councils contributing the balance.

The scheme continues for the year 2014/15 after the county announced in March its £206,500 support for 68 local initiatives that will deliver small highway improvements working with town and parish councils.

Are pedestrians at risk from traffic in the area where you live? Do you think something should be done? Email newsdesk@archant.co.uk